Semi-micro preparation and characterization of mesoporous silica microspheres from rice husk sodium silicate using a non-ionic surfactant as a template : application in normal phase HPLC columns

A simple and low-cost process has been developed for the production of mesoporous silica microspheres using a non-ionic surfactant as a template in an aqueous acidic sodium silicate solution prepared from rice husk. The influences of synthesis parameters such as the sodium silicate concentration, hydrochloric acid concentration, temperature and aging time on the morphology and on particle size range are described. The product's physical and normal phase chromatographic properties are reported.